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Woman will offer free kayak trips in memory of sister

Angela Scott kayaks on Lake Summit this week. She plans to offer free kayak trips to breast cancer patients, survivors
and their families in memory of her sister, Natalie, who died of breast cancer five years ago.

Patrick Sullivan/Times -News

By CAITLIN BYRDTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 28, 2014 at 11:03 p.m.

TUXEDO — After learning there would be no more rounds of radiation and no more appointments for chemotherapy, Natalie Dunn called her half-sister and best friend with a plan for another one of their adventures.

“I want to go to the beach. I want to go deep sea fishing. I want to put my feet in the ocean,” she told Angela Scott, adding, “It's not the brain seizures. I can die at the beach just as well as I can die at home.”

Eighteen months earlier, in the fall of 2007, Dunn had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Remembering the phone call, Scott said most people would have been home in bed or at Elizabeth House. But, Scott explained, that wasn't who Natalie was.

Deep sea fishing was on her bucket list, so they did it — cancer or no cancer.

After her diagnosis, Dunn kayaked with dolphins in Charleston, S.C. She went to Disney World, Busch Gardens and Vienna Beach. When she went to SeaWorld, she swam with dolphins.

“Up until the very last minute, she lived her life to the fullest,” Scott said. “She was fearless.”

During that final trip to Tybee Island, Scott said Dunn did everything she wanted. Though Dunn could no longer walk, she let the ocean water wash over her feet as she sat in her wheelchair. She even got to go deep sea fishing.

The next week, she died. She was 36, wife to Kelly Dunn and mother of four children, Kayla, Autumn, Shoshanna and Radin.

Now, five years later, Scott wants to offer free kayak trips to breast cancer patients, survivors and their families in the spirit and memory of her fearless little sister.

“Any time you're going through something hard, if you just sit and wallow in it, it makes it harder. If you get out and just live it, I think it just makes you feel better.” Scott said. “That was how Natalie lived her life. She had bad days, but she felt better because she always knew there was something else she wanted to do.”

Scott said she would like to start offering the free kayak trips at Lake Summit as soon as the weather gets above 55 degrees consistently. She owns more than 20 kayaks, along with paddles, life jackets and helmets, and would like to take people out in groups of five.

Scott, who grew up near the Green River, said there is something empowering about getting in a kayak.

“For a minute, their mind's not on the fact that they have cancer,” Scott said. “No matter where you're at in your life, whether you're sick, whether you're chunky, whether you're older, you can do anything you want to do. You just have to want it.”

Scott said her sister taught her that, and even though she is gone, Dunn continues to inspire her.

“She made me promise to continue doing crazy things,” Scott said.

Since her sister died, Scott has gone on a mission trip to Peru, swam with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium, participated in the Lake Lure Polar Plunge, traveled to California and began writing, including a self-published book about her sister called “I Double Dare You.”

“When I went swimming with whale sharks, I felt her there. When I did the polar plunge, I felt her doing it with me. When I do things like that, it's when I really feel her presence. It takes away the sad when I have to do stuff like that without her,” Scott said. “I just really want to give other people that sense of doing things and putting themselves out there and not being afraid. Fear is what holds us back.”

If you are interested in signing up for a free kayak tour with Angela Scott, contact her at paddlersplace1967@yahoo.com.

<p>TUXEDO — After learning there would be no more rounds of radiation and no more appointments for chemotherapy, Natalie Dunn called her half-sister and best friend with a plan for another one of their adventures.</p><p>“I want to go to the beach. I want to go deep sea fishing. I want to put my feet in the ocean,” she told Angela Scott, adding, “It's not the brain seizures. I can die at the beach just as well as I can die at home.”</p><p>Eighteen months earlier, in the fall of 2007, Dunn had been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. Remembering the phone call, Scott said most people would have been home in bed or at Elizabeth House. But, Scott explained, that wasn't who Natalie was.</p><p>Deep sea fishing was on her bucket list, so they did it — cancer or no cancer.</p><p>After her diagnosis, Dunn kayaked with dolphins in Charleston, S.C. She went to Disney World, Busch Gardens and Vienna Beach. When she went to SeaWorld, she swam with dolphins.</p><p>“Up until the very last minute, she lived her life to the fullest,” Scott said. “She was fearless.”</p><p>During that final trip to Tybee Island, Scott said Dunn did everything she wanted. Though Dunn could no longer walk, she let the ocean water wash over her feet as she sat in her wheelchair. She even got to go deep sea fishing.</p><p>The next week, she died. She was 36, wife to Kelly Dunn and mother of four children, Kayla, Autumn, Shoshanna and Radin.</p><p>Now, five years later, Scott wants to offer free kayak trips to breast cancer patients, survivors and their families in the spirit and memory of her fearless little sister.</p><p>“Any time you're going through something hard, if you just sit and wallow in it, it makes it harder. If you get out and just live it, I think it just makes you feel better.” Scott said. “That was how Natalie lived her life. She had bad days, but she felt better because she always knew there was something else she wanted to do.”</p><p>Scott said she would like to start offering the free kayak trips at Lake Summit as soon as the weather gets above 55 degrees consistently. She owns more than 20 kayaks, along with paddles, life jackets and helmets, and would like to take people out in groups of five.</p><p>Scott, who grew up near the Green River, said there is something empowering about getting in a kayak.</p><p>“For a minute, their mind's not on the fact that they have cancer,” Scott said. “No matter where you're at in your life, whether you're sick, whether you're chunky, whether you're older, you can do anything you want to do. You just have to want it.”</p><p>Scott said her sister taught her that, and even though she is gone, Dunn continues to inspire her.</p><p>“She made me promise to continue doing crazy things,” Scott said.</p><p>Since her sister died, Scott has gone on a mission trip to Peru, swam with whale sharks at the Georgia Aquarium, participated in the Lake Lure Polar Plunge, traveled to California and began writing, including a self-published book about her sister called “I Double Dare You.”</p><p>“When I went swimming with whale sharks, I felt her there. When I did the polar plunge, I felt her doing it with me. When I do things like that, it's when I really feel her presence. It takes away the sad when I have to do stuff like that without her,” Scott said. “I just really want to give other people that sense of doing things and putting themselves out there and not being afraid. Fear is what holds us back.”</p><p>If you are interested in signing up for a free kayak tour with Angela Scott, contact her at paddlersplace1967@yahoo.com.</p><p>___</p><p>Reach Byrd at caitlin.byrd@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7881.</p>